Orioles/Nats lineups and pregame tidbits

* Orioles starter Brian Matusz will take a work day on Tuesday before the team makes a final decision, although it’s likely he will make another rehab start before being activated by Baltimore. He is on the 15-day disabled list from a left intercostal muscle strain and tossed six scoreless innings for Double-A Bowie on Saturday night in a strong second rehab start.

On Sunday Matusz said that he is right on track for recovering, but still didn’t feel ready to start yet.

“I had good results yesterday. I was able to make good pitches,” Matusz said. “I didn’t have the best feel for all my stuff. I didn’t feel like it was coming out of my hand like I wanted it to, but I feel like I’m on track, I feel like it’s real close to being where I want to be.”

*The Orioles pregame media notes have Brad Bergesen skipped for the upcoming Royals series, although manager Buck Showalter said a decision hasn’t been made yet. The O’s could take advantage of Monday’s off day to skip Bergesen and allow Matusz to make one more rehab start before being activated.

*Manager Buck Showalter said there are no plans for Brian Roberts to start any physical activity right now, which means Roberts will definitely not be ready to come off the 7-day disabled list on Tuesday. Roberts, who is on the DL with concussion-like symptoms, has been consulting with local and national specialists.

*Bench coach Willie Randolph will again be the O’s third base coach again today, in place of John Russell who will probably be out of commission a few more days. Russell is recovering from an injection in his left knee.

*Here are the lineups as the Orioles go for the series win this afternoon….

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